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Globulin is a group of proteins in your blood. A low level can point to a liver or kidney condition, or to malnutrition. A high level can point to inflammation or to an immune system condition.[1]
On this page you can read what globulin is, what the guidelines say about a value that is too low or too high, what affects your value and which values are best to look at alongside it.
Also known as: globulins, serum globulin. At the lab: n/a.
Globulins are a group of proteins in your blood. Some are made by your liver. Others are made by your immune system. There are different types: alpha, beta and gamma globulins.[1]
Globulins play an important role in how your liver and kidneys work, in blood clotting and in your defence against pathogens.[1]
The two main types of protein in your blood are albumin and globulins. Albumin makes up the largest part. What is left is called globulin. A total protein test measures all the protein together. A protein electrophoresis test measures each type separately, including the different globulins.[1]
A globulin test can help find out what is going on with a liver or kidney condition, with nutrition problems such as malnutrition, and with certain conditions in which your immune system attacks your own tissue by mistake.[1]
The levels of the individual globulins say something about how well your immune system is working.[1]
Your doctor may order the test as part of a routine check-up, if you have symptoms, or to keep track of how your liver or kidneys are doing. Symptoms that can fit with the liver include nausea, a poor appetite, tiredness, yellow skin and yellow eyes, and swelling of your ankles and legs.[1]
| Value | Can point to | Who it is for |
|---|---|---|
| Low[1] | A liver or kidney condition | General, the source names no group |
| Low[1] | Malnutrition | General, the source names no group |
| High[1] | A body fighting off a pathogen, or a condition with inflammation | General, the source names no group |
| High[1] | An immune system condition | General, the source names no group |
| High[1] | Certain serious conditions of the bone marrow or lymphatic system, or a bacterial disease of the lungs | General, the source names no group |
| Abnormal[1] | Certain medicines, dehydration or other causes | General, also if you are pregnant |
Source: MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine. The source gives no figures, only what a low or high level can point to.[1]
A high level can point to a body fighting off a pathogen, to a condition with inflammation or to an immune system condition. Sometimes it can point to a serious condition of the bone marrow or lymphatic system. Talk to your doctor about what your result means.[1]
A low level can point to a liver or kidney condition, or to malnutrition. Your doctor looks at your full result and your symptoms.[1]
BioProfile is working on its own zones for each value, from risk to optimal. A doctor reviews those zones before they appear in your result.
Certain medicines can give an abnormal result. Sometimes you need to stop a medicine before the test, so tell your doctor about everything you take. Never stop a medicine on your own unless your doctor tells you to.[1]
Dehydration can also give an abnormal result.[1]
If you are pregnant, this can affect your result.[1]
If your globulin test is part of another blood test, you sometimes need to go without food or drink for a number of hours before the test. Your doctor will tell you whether that applies to you.[1]
Globulin is included in BioProfile 77, 87, 121 and 150.[2]
The BioProfile editorial team wrote this page on 25 October 2026 from the sources below, which we read on 25 October 2026. Every number on this page comes from one of those sources, with that source's number next to it. An expert has yet to review this page. Once that review is done, the expert's name and the date of the review will appear at the top. This page explains. It does not give a diagnosis. Discuss a value outside the normal range with your GP.
